Indigenous Justice Agreements

Over the last two decades, some Australian States and Territories have introduced Indigenous Justice Agreements (IJAs) and related strategic frameworks in the hope of addressing consistently high rates of Indigenous incarceration and improving justice service delivery to Indigenous people. Drawing on earlier research by the authors,3 this Research Brief provides an overview and analysis of the IJAs, and examines whether strategic planning on Indigenous justice issues is improving Indigenous justice outcomes as intended. We identify four key factors for success of IJAs, along with key challenges likely to impact upon their effectiveness. Despite significant shortcomings, we conclude that IJAs do have a positive impact, in particular by providing Indigenous people with input into strategic planning, and providing government with a systematic and coherent strategy to address Indigenous justice issues, including over-representation and victimisation.